Mick McCarthy take a bow, getting this lot top 6 is nothing short of a miracle. You deserve a lot of credit, and well done squad too. What a season so far, our best in 10 years and that's progress. We have our club back, we're moving forward, lets see how we fare vs a ( sadly ! ) very good Norwich side.
I was rooting for you lot yesterday. Brentford and Ipswich have proven that anyone can do it not just the foreign owned rich clubs.
SN no self respecting City fan would EVER want Towan to win under any circumstance. To the Tower with you my friend
Even in a hypothetical situation where an Ipswich win would ensure your promotion or survival in whatever league we were in together?
Well, we got there in the end. I think regardless of the play-off results, it's been an impressive season and has likely exceeded most of our expectations. I know that's certainly applicable to me. At the start of the campaign, I didn't think we were realistic play-off contenders. I thought that a lack of investment and a possible psychological deficiency against the division's bigger sides would ultimately affect promotion ambitions. Instead, a season of gradual improvement and top half finish would be a more attainable objective. I hate to use cliches, but the saying that 'the league table doesn't lie' rings true and, upon balance of our year, I think we deserve to be there competing for an admittedly unlikely promotion. We benefited from teams around us also going through some inconsistent results, none more so than Derby. Yes, Steve McClaren's side were promotion favourites at one point, and they topped the table for a time too. But I think the McClaren to Newcastle rumours certainly had some sort of impact on the side, because results have slumped since that piece of speculation. Now I'm not massively pro-Mick supporter, certainly in comparison to some users on here, but I think it's fair to say that he's done an amazing job at the club, and anybody who can't see this season as a success story probably needs their head looking at. Considering that only a couple of years ago we were battling relegation with a squad of overpaid, mediocre players seemingly more concerned with their weekly wage than putting in committed, consistent performances. Now, we are a competitive and seemingly closely-knit squad, fashioned on a budget while expenditure has been reduced year-on-year. However, I still have reservations about the side and, regardless of what happens in the play offs, it's evident that we need to ring in some changes come summer. Investment is clearly required if we want to push on and avoid regressing back into a mid-table club. Arguably, with a bit more financial power in January, we could have assured ourselves of a play off place long before yesterday. I think we need a right back, arguably a supporting centre-back, a left-back if Mings goes, and some creativity and pace out wide in midfield. Another goalkeeper may be necessary, although Bart's form has been fairly good of late. Hopefully we can keep hold of the likes of Mings, Berra, Bishop, Murphy, and Sears, if Premier League clubs come calling. I'd also hope we can keep hold of McCarthy, who has been linked with managerial moves away, including the likes of Fulham, who you'll expect will throw some cash to turn around their disappointing season. I still think we have a psychological issue of 'bottling' big games, despite the victories against Watford and Forest. Blackburn yesterday encapsulated our indecisiveness, overcautiousness in defence, and the lack of poise and assurance on the ball. Having said that, it was an improved second half performance. I think Norwich is the hardest match we'll face in the play offs. We have a terrible record against them recently, so it's clearly going to require a massive effort on part of our players. The only real encouragement we can take is Norwich's inconsistency recently as well as the fact that, despite the two wins over us this season, they didn't play us off the park in those games. A win at Portman Road would be ideal, and would result in us just needing a draw at Carrow Road to progress. But Norwich are rightly considered favourites in this semi-final clash. They have a progressive coach who is aided by an expensive squad with several Premier League quality players, including the likes of John Ruddy, Nathan Redmond, and Wes Hoolahan, among others. It means we go into the next couple of matches as underdogs, and hopefully that will benefit the squad and allow us to play under less pressure.
My dear you can only dream of what it's like to see your team lift the FA Cup at Wembley or parade a European Trophy,some of us are lucky enough to cherish such memories until the day we die.
Erm, I have seen my team win three league titles, an FA cup, a fairs cup, get to the semi final of the champions league , get robbed in the final of the old European cup what on earth are you babbling about?
Sorry ,chippy ,I took you for a Budgie,didn't think anyone else would be sad enough to trying wumming here,I do apologise!
